BBC Radio3 & ENO offer 1st UK video streaming of opera

ENO and BBC Radio 3 are to video stream a performance of ENO’s new production of 'Carmen', marking the first time that BBC Radio 3 has video streamed an opera.

The performance will air on Saturday November 3 at 6.30pm and will also be the first time a UK opera house has offered a complete production online.

The broadband video streams will be available on the BBC Radio 3 website for seven days, starting on the same evening as the broadcast of the opera on-air.

Music-lovers will have unprecedented access to ENO's Carmen. To view it audiences can go directly to bbc.co.uk/radio3 or click through from eno.org/Carmen.

The ENO's production of 'Carmen', part of the Sky Arts season, is directed by filmmaker Sally Potter, who has previously directred 'Orlando' and 'The Tango Lesson', and she also will direct the video streaming. 'Carmen Online' is a co-production between ENO and BBC Radio 3 in association with Adventure Pictures.

Roger Wright, controller BBC Radio 3, said: "This is an exciting opportunity for BBC Radio 3 and ENO to bring a new opera production to the widest possible audience and we are delighted to extend our relationship with ENO in this way.

"Using technology to give audiences a richer experience is something we want to continue to explore further in the future."

John Berry, artistic director ENO, said: "Through this streaming many people across Britain will have the opportunity to sample ENO’s bold and adventurous work. The web is giving ENO new opportunities for engaging with a wider audience and this project expands on the exciting Web 2.0 content we have created around our production of Carmen.

"We are delighted to be entering a co-production partnership with BBC Radio 3 and we hope it will lead to more exciting projects in the future."

Carmen extends ENO's ambition to create online content for people who want to engage with opera, music, theatre and film.

Earlier this year the company launched ENO Interactive using user-generated content and social networking to create a community that could interact with ENO's work and each other.